Oppikoppi: Dustville invaded

The first bands started playing at noon yesterday to excited festival goers who had been waiting for months for this weekend to arrive.

Celebrating the 20th installment of the festival, this might be one its biggest years yet.

Bittereinder front man, Jaco van der Merwe called performing at Oppi “die goue uur” (the golden hour) the band gets only once every year.

The bands 1 am set pulled one of the biggest crowds of the festivals first day. It helped that they played a number of new songs for fans, who seemed to love it.

Erin Crous, Oppikoppi marketing manager, said 20 000 people were expected over the three days the festival is running. Tickets are still available online, only closing tomorrow night. No tickets are being sold at the gate as a “security measure”.

One camper come music lover, Fazel Mokalake is attending the festival for the fourth time. “Oppi is very diverse now,” he said of the festivals line up and people’s attitudes.

Revelers can look forward to hip hop giants like HHP and Reason, the alternatives sounds of Matthew Mole and Gangs of Ballet. But many are looking forward to a rare rock performance by the iconic Springbok Nude Girls.